Dancing in honor of her ill father
Daughter plans a memorable salute at Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser
Kia Seals is excitedand a bit nervous.
After all, the Columbia native will be performing one of the most iconic salsa numbers in all of pop culture when she appears as a“dancing star” April 8 at a black-tie fundraiser for the Greater Maryland chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Seals and her partner will replicate the sizzling choreography from the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing” at the 11th annual Baltimore Memory Ball in honor of her father, Dr. Jerry Seals, a retired Columbia physician who has younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
She will also be channeling acommunity’s deep affection for one of its own through her performance.
“Jerry loved being a doctor and he helped thousands of patients over the years” before the brain disease robbed him of his genius and zestfor living,said his former medical partner and longtime friend, Dr. Harry Oken.
“He was always joking and he had a swagger about him,” said the Columbia internist. “There was nobody who didn’t love Jerry.”
Kia Seals will perform with dance coach Michael Sims at the event planned for the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel, where the theme will be “A Salute tothe Silver Screen.” More than $5 million has been raised by the chapter’s Dancing Stars event over the years,a spokesperson said.
Kisha James,associate director of special events,said Seals “is going to be great.”
“She is sweet and unassuming,” James said,“but when she gets on the dance floor, she really turns it on.”
As a student of ballet and modern dance from age 4 into her college years, Seals is setting the competitive bar high for herself.
That means mastering the sultry steps made famous by film stars Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, and that’s a bit daunting, she confessed.
“I haven’t danced for 10 years and I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself,” said Seals,who is 31 and an account supervisor at a Washington marketing firm.
“I’m all aboutthe causeand I’m doing this for my dad.”
Dr.Seals,who is 70 and has resided at a Columbia assisted living facility since September, won’tbeinthe audiencewhen his daughter steps onto the dance floor to “(I’ve Had) TheTime of My Life.”
Kia Seals said he was able to walk her down the aisle, though, at her May 2016 wedding to Sebastiaan Oldenburg,a banker and Amsterdam native, and that will remain a cherished memory.
A two-time veteran of the association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s events, Seals has set a fundraising goal of $20,000 for the Memory Ball. She is closing inon it.
Eight other dancers,including one married couple, will compete at the event for mirror ball trophies,which will be awarded by apanel of judges for best dance and by the association for most votes. Supporters
After all, the Columbia native will be performing one of the most iconic salsa numbers in all of pop culture when she appears as a“dancing star” April 8 at a black-tie fundraiser for the Greater Maryland chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Seals and her partner will replicate the sizzling choreography from the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing” at the 11th annual Baltimore Memory Ball in honor of her father, Dr. Jerry Seals, a retired Columbia physician who has younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
She will also be channeling acommunity’s deep affection for one of its own through her performance.
“Jerry loved being a doctor and he helped thousands of patients over the years” before the brain disease robbed him of his genius and zestfor living,said his former medical partner and longtime friend, Dr. Harry Oken.
“He was always joking and he had a swagger about him,” said the Columbia internist. “There was nobody who didn’t love Jerry.”
Kia Seals will perform with dance coach Michael Sims at the event planned for the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel, where the theme will be “A Salute tothe Silver Screen.” More than $5 million has been raised by the chapter’s Dancing Stars event over the years,a spokesperson said.
Kisha James,associate director of special events,said Seals “is going to be great.”
“She is sweet and unassuming,” James said,“but when she gets on the dance floor, she really turns it on.”
As a student of ballet and modern dance from age 4 into her college years, Seals is setting the competitive bar high for herself.
That means mastering the sultry steps made famous by film stars Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, and that’s a bit daunting, she confessed.
“I haven’t danced for 10 years and I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself,” said Seals,who is 31 and an account supervisor at a Washington marketing firm.
“I’m all aboutthe causeand I’m doing this for my dad.”
Dr.Seals,who is 70 and has resided at a Columbia assisted living facility since September, won’tbeinthe audiencewhen his daughter steps onto the dance floor to “(I’ve Had) TheTime of My Life.”
Kia Seals said he was able to walk her down the aisle, though, at her May 2016 wedding to Sebastiaan Oldenburg,a banker and Amsterdam native, and that will remain a cherished memory.
A two-time veteran of the association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s events, Seals has set a fundraising goal of $20,000 for the Memory Ball. She is closing inon it.
Eight other dancers,including one married couple, will compete at the event for mirror ball trophies,which will be awarded by apanel of judges for best dance and by the association for most votes. Supporters
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